Executive Council
Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
October 4, 2017

Premier Ball Announces Funding for Training Initiative in Buchans

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, today announced more than $311,000 to advance the growth of a local business and to support economic development in central Newfoundland.

Barite Mud Services Inc. (BMSI), which recovers barite from the tailings remaining from past mining operations in Buchans, will receive funding through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Job Grant for a training initiative.

The training will help BMSI develop the skills of 13 new employees who, together with 24 existing employees, will learn operations productivity and performance, behavioural-based safety, quality assurance, and dredge operations.

Training will be provided by Dynamic Operations Support Services and Elliot Dredges LLC, which have training experience in the mining industry.

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Job Grant Program provides funding to eligible businesses and organizations to help offset costs up to a maximum of $10,000 per year towards training for an existing employee or $15,000 per year towards training an individual who is unemployed.

This initiative supports commitments made in The Way Forward to improve the economic landscape of Newfoundland and Labrador through private sector job creation and economic growth. Training and skills development also align with the goals of the Cabinet Committee on Jobs.

Quotes
“As we committed in The Way Forward, our government continues to focus on growing the economy to secure a prosperous future for Newfoundland and Labrador, including in rural and remote areas. Supporting training helps give workers the skills they need to find and maintain employment right here at home.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“This funding is supporting local jobs in rural central Newfoundland and providing BMSI employees the skills they need to advance careers in the mining industry. Through the Cabinet Committee on Jobs, and The Way Forward, we are firmly focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers in partnership with the private sector.”
Honourable Al Hawkins
Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

“Provincial Government support has allowed BMSI to be operating today and successfully employing 38 people from the Buchans area. Investing in our people is a key building block for the long term stability of the operation."
Mike Rose
President, BMSI

"This investment will allow central Newfoundland and Labrador to directly participate in and benefit from the offshore oil and gas industry by supplying barite for drilling operations. An increasingly capable and informed workforce supports future plans for industrial expansion in the Buchans area."
Leo Power
Board Chair, BMSI